Early Christian Beliefs About Communion
Early Christian writings treat communion as more than common bread and wine. Ignatius, Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, and Cyprian speak of the Eucharist as Christ's body and blood, linked with forgiveness, life, and reverence. The main Bible passages are John 6, Luke 22, and 1 Corinthians 10–11. Some writers also use symbol language, but they still keep a real and holy view of the Lord's Supper.
127 early-church witnesses · 236 source quotations · compared with Scripture
What did early Christians believe about communion?
Early Christian writings teach that communion was not treated as ordinary bread and wine, but as the Lord's body and blood received with reverence. Ignatius, Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Cyprian, and other early witnesses link the Eucharist to Christ's flesh and blood, to forgiveness, and to eternal life. The Bible passages most often used for this teaching are the words of Jesus in John 6 and the Lord's Supper passages in the Gospels and 1 Corinthians.
The evidence is broad and early, though some writers explain the Lord's Supper in symbolic or figurative language while still keeping a strong sacramental meaning. A few later liturgical texts repeat the same core pattern: thanksgiving, bread and cup, remembrance, and holy fear. Many more early Christian quotations, Bible passages, and source links are gathered below so you can study the evidence for yourself.
Key Takeaways
- Early Christians often called the Eucharist the body and blood of Christ, not ordinary food.
- Justin Martyr and Cyprian describe who may receive communion and why it matters.
- Irenaeus ties the cup and bread to Christ's blood and body and to the life of the flesh.
- John 6 and 1 Corinthians 10–11 are the main Bible passages used for communion teaching.
Questions Answered by the Sources
Did early Christians say Communion was the body and blood of Christ?
Multiple early witnesses say the Eucharist is not common bread and drink, but the body and blood of Christ. The core Bible passages are the Last Supper and John 6, and the early writers use them to explain Communion in real, not merely symbolic, terms.
-
Ignatius, Epistle to the Smyrnaeans (Short Version) Direct teaching
They abstain from the Eucharist and from prayer, because they do not acknowledge the Eucharist to be the flesh of our Savior Jesus Christ, who suffered for our sins, and whom the Father, in His goodness, raised up again. Those, therefore, who speak against this gift of God, bring upon themselves death in the midst of their disputes. Yet it would be better for them to treat it with respect, so that they might also rise again. It is fitting, therefore, that you should keep away from such people, and not speak of them either in private or in public, but to pay attention to the prophets, and above all, to the Gospel, in which the passion of Christ has been revealed to us, and the resurrection has been fully proven. But avoid all divisions, as they are the beginning of evils.
-
Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book V Direct teaching
2. Those who despise the entire plan of God and reject the salvation of the flesh, treating its regeneration with contempt, are utterly mistaken. If the flesh does not attain salvation, then the Lord did not redeem us with His blood, nor is the cup of the Eucharist a communion of His blood, nor the bread we break a communion of His body. Blood can only come from veins and flesh, along with everything else that makes up the substance of a person, just as the Word of God was truly made. He redeemed us by His own blood, as His apostle states, "In whom we have redemption through His blood, even the remission of sins." Since we are His members, we are also nourished by the creation (which He Himself grants us, as He causes His sun to rise and sends rain when He wishes). He has recognized the cup (a part of creation) as His blood, from which He nourishes our blood; and the bread (also part of creation) He has established as His body, from which He nourishes our bodies.
-
Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book V Direct teaching
...f God, and the Eucharist of the blood and body of Christ is formed, from which the substance of our flesh is grown and sustained, how can they claim that the flesh is incapable of receiving the gift of God, which is eternal life, when this flesh is nourished from the body and blood of the Lord and is a part of Him? Just as the blessed Paul states in his letter to the Ephesians, that “we are members of His body, of His flesh, and of His bones.” He does not speak of some spiritual and invisible person, for a spirit does not have bones or flesh; but he is referring to the arrangement by which the Lord became an actual man, consisting of flesh, and nerves, and bones,—that flesh which is nourished by the cup that is His blood, and grows from the bread that is His body. And just as a branch from the vine planted in the ground bears fruit in its season, or as a grain of wheat falling into the earth and breaking down, rises with abundant growth by the Spirit of God, who holds all things, and then, through the wisdom of God, serves human use, and having received the Word of God, becomes the Eucharist, which is the body and blood of Christ; so also our bodies, being nourished by it, and l
-
Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book V Supporting witness
And just as a cutting from the vine planted in the ground fructifies in its season, or as a corn of wheat falling into the earth and becoming decomposed, rises with manifold increase by the Spirit of God, who contains all things, and then, through the wisdom of God, serves for the use of men, and having received the Word of God, becomes the Eucharist, which is the body and blood of Christ;
-
1 Corinthians 10:16 Direct teaching
The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?
-
John 6:51 Direct teaching
I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.
-
Matthew 26:26 Supporting witness
And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.”
-
Mark 14:22 Supporting witness
And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.”
-
1 Corinthians 11:24 Supporting witness
And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
-
Matthew 26:27 Supporting witness
Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you.
-
1 Corinthians 11:23 Supporting witness
For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread,
-
John 6:53 Direct teaching
So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.
More related quotations from this section 3 shown
-
John 6:56 Supporting witness
Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him.
-
John 6:54 Supporting witness
Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.
-
1 Corinthians 11:26 Supporting witness
For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.
Who was allowed to receive Communion in the early church?
The sources say Communion was not open to everyone. Justin Martyr and the Didache restrict participation to baptized believers, and Justin adds that they must also be living according to Christ’s teaching.
-
Justin Martyr, The First Apology Direct teaching
This food is called among us [the Eucharist], and only those who believe that our teachings are true, have been washed with the washing for the remission of sins and renewal, and live as Christ instructed, are allowed to partake. We do not receive these as common bread and drink, but in the same way that Jesus Christ our Savior became flesh by the Word of God and had flesh and blood for our salvation, we have been taught that the food blessed by His word and prayer, which nourishes our blood and flesh through transformation, is the flesh and blood of Jesus who became flesh. The apostles, in the writings they composed, which are called Gospels, have passed down to us what Jesus instructed them: that He took bread, gave thanks, and said, "Do this in remembrance of Me, this is My body;" and in the same way, after taking the cup and giving thanks, He said, "This is My blood;" and gave it to them alone. The wicked devils have imitated this in the mysteries of Mithras, commanding the same actions. You either know or can learn that bread and a cup of water are used with certain incantations in the mystical rites of someone being initiated.
-
Justin Martyr, The First Apology Supporting witness
And this food is called among us [the Eucharist], of which no one is allowed to partake but the man who believes that the things which we teach are true, and who has been washed with the washing that is for the remission of sins, and unto regeneration, and who is so living as Christ has enjoined.
-
Justin Martyr, The First Apology Supporting witness
And when the president has given thanks, and all the people have expressed their assent, those who are called by us deacons give to each of those present to partake of the bread and wine mixed with water over which the thanksgiving was pronounced, and to those who are absent they carry away a portion.
-
Didache, The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles Direct teaching
But let no one eat or drink of your Thanksgiving (Eucharist), but they who have been baptized into the name of the Lord;
-
Didache, The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles Supporting witness
Now concerning the Thanksgiving (Eucharist), thus give thanks.
-
Didache, The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles Supporting witness
Now about the Thanksgiving, or Eucharist, give thanks in this way. First, about the cup: "We thank You, our Father, for the holy vine of David Your Servant, which You made known to us through Jesus Your Servant. To You be the glory forever." And about the broken bread: "We thank You, our Father, for the life and knowledge that You made known to us through Jesus Your Servant. To You be the glory forever." Just as this broken bread was scattered over the hills, and then was gathered together and became one, so let Your Church be gathered together from the ends of the earth into Your kingdom. For Yours is the glory and the power through Jesus Christ forever. But let no one eat or drink of your Thanksgiving, or Eucharist, except those who have been baptized into the name of the Lord. For about this also the Lord has said, "Do not give what is holy to dogs." Matthew 7:6
Did early Christians see Communion as remembrance and proclamation?
The sources show that the Eucharist was celebrated in remembrance of Christ and as a proclamation of his death until he comes. Several liturgical and patristic texts repeat the institution words and the remembrance language from the Gospels and Corinthians.
-
Cyprian, Treatises Direct teaching
...m heaven. If any man eats of my bread, he shall live forever; and the bread which I will give is my flesh, for the life of the world.” John 6:58 When, therefore, He says that whoever eats of His bread shall live forever, it is clear that those who partake of His body and receive the Eucharist by the right of communion are living. So, on the other hand, we must fear and pray lest anyone who is kept from communion, and is separated from Christ’s body, should remain far from salvation, as He Himself threatens and says, “Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink His blood, you shall have no life in you.” John 6:53 And therefore we ask that our bread—that is, Christ—may be given to us daily, so that we who remain and live in Christ may not depart from His sanctification and body.
-
Cyprian, Treatises Direct teaching
as it is manifest that those who partake of His body and receive the Eucharist by the right of communion are living, so, on the other hand, we must fear and pray lest any one who, being withheld from communion, is separate from Christ's body should remain at a distance from salvation;
-
Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Direct teaching
...to His disciples, saying, "This is the mystery of the new covenant. Take of it, and eat. This is my body, which is broken for many, for the remission of sins." In the same way, He also took the cup, mixed it with wine and water, sanctified it, and gave it to them, saying, "Drink all of this, for this is my blood, which is shed for many, for the remission of sins. Do this in remembrance of me." For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you show my death until I come. Therefore, remembering His passion, death, resurrection from the dead, return into the heavens, and His future second appearing, in which He is to come with glory and power to judge the living and the dead, and to repay everyone according to his works, we offer to You, our King and our God, according to His constitution, this bread and this cup. We give You thanks through Him, because You have counted us worthy to stand before You and to sacrifice to You. And we beg You to look mercifully upon these gifts set before You, O God, who stand in need of none of our offerings. Accept them, to the honor of Your Christ, and send down Your Holy Spirit upon this sacrifice, the Witness of the sufferings of the Lord
-
Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness
...n out. As for the deacons, after the prayer is over, let some of them attend to the oblation of the Eucharist, ministering to the Lord's body with fear. Let others watch the crowd and keep them silent. But let that deacon who is at the high priest's side say to the people, "Let no one have any quarrel against another; let no one come in hypocrisy." Then let the men give the men, and the women give the women, the Lord's kiss. But let no one do it deceitfully, as Judas betrayed the Lord with a kiss. After this let the deacon pray for the whole Church, for the whole world and its several parts, and for its fruits; for the priests and the rulers, for the high priest and the king, and for the peace of the universe. After this let the high priest pray for peace upon the people and bless them, as Moses commanded the priests to bless the people, in these words: "The Lord bless you, and keep you: the Lord make His face shine upon you, and give you peace." Let the bishop pray for the people, and say: "Save Your people, O Lord, and bless Your inheritance, which You have obtained with the precious blood of Your Christ, and have called a royal priesthood, and a holy nation." After this let t
-
Early Liturgies, Divine Liturgy of St. James Supporting witness
This do in remembrance of me; for as often as you eat this bread, and drink this cup, you do show forth the Lord's death, and confess His resurrection, till He come.
-
Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness
and when the oblation has been made, let every rank by itself partake of the Lord's body and precious blood in order, and approach with reverence and holy fear, as to the body of their king.
-
Hippolytus, Exegetical Fragments Supporting witness
it also refers to His honoured and undefiled body and blood, which day by day are administered and offered sacrificially at the spiritual divine table, as a memorial of that first and ever-memorable table of the spiritual divine supper.
-
Early Liturgies, Divine Liturgy of St. James Supporting witness
The union of the all-holy body and precious blood of our Lord and God and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
-
Early Liturgies, Divine Liturgy of St. James Supporting witness
Take, eat: this is my body, broken for you, and given for remission of sins.
-
Tatian, The Diatessaron Supporting witness
Luke 24:30 And when he sat with them, he took bread, and blessed, 57 and broke, and gave to them.
-
Tertullian, De Corona Supporting witness
We take also, in congregations before daybreak, and from the hand of none but the presidents, the sacrament of the Eucharist, which the Lord both commanded to be eaten at meal-times, and enjoined to be taken by all alike.
-
Didache, Connection to 1 Corinthians 11:26 Supporting witness
We also, our Father, thank Thee for the precious blood of Jesus Christ, which was shed for us and for His precious body, whereof we celebrate this representation, as Himself appointed us, "to show forth His death."
More related quotations from this section 3 shown
-
Luke 22:19 Direct teaching
And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
-
1 Corinthians 11:27 Supporting witness
Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
-
1 Corinthians 11:25 Supporting witness
In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
Common Questions
Did early Christians believe communion was really Christ's body and blood?
Yes. Ignatius, Justin Martyr, and Irenaeus speak of the Eucharist as Christ's body and blood, not common bread and drink.
Did early Christians think communion should be taken with reverence?
Yes. Cyprian and the Apostolic Constitutions describe communion with fear, care, and proper order.
Which Bible verses shaped early Christian communion teaching?
John 6:51-56, Luke 22:19-20, and 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 and 11:23-27 are the main passages.
Source Index for Communion
The guided sections above show the strongest quotations. This compact index highlights 160 ranked source links from 236 compiled sources for deeper study.
Source index 160 ranked links shown
Early Christian Writings 80 shown of 127
Primary-source quotations from early Christian writers and church documents.
-
Ignatius of Antioch, Connection to 1 Corinthians 10:17
Bible Passages 80 shown of 109
Related Bible passages saved for comparison with the early Christian quotations.
Related Resources
Course Lesson
Communion
Open a related course lesson for more teaching connected with Communion.
Course Lesson
Is There Early Church Precedent for Withholding Communion from Visitors with Differing Beliefs and Practices
Open a related course lesson for more teaching connected with Communion.
Course Lesson
Is it Necessary to Use Unleavened Bread and Wine, or Can Any Kind of Bread, Food, and Juice, Any Beverage Be Acceptable for Communion?
Open a related course lesson for more teaching connected with Communion.
Site Page
Closed communion
Compare another early Christian topic page with related source quotations.
Site Page
Infant communion
Compare another early Christian topic page with related source quotations.
Site Page
Weekly communion
Compare another early Christian topic page with related source quotations.